Kennedy collapses at luncheon after apparent seizure
By Sasha Issenberg, Susan Milligan and Carey Goldberg, Globe Staff
WASHINGTON -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy suffered an apparent seizure today that a doctor said was likely caused by "simple fatigue," inserting a dramatic turn of melancholy amid a triumphant celebration of the liberalism that Kennedy holds most dear.
Kennedy, who was diagnosed last spring with brain cancer after an initial seizure, was led from a post-inaugural congressional luncheon to an ambulance by medics and colleagues including fellow Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry. He was taken to Washington Hospital Center, where the chief of neurosurgery said he was recovering while encircled by family and was expected to be released Wednesday morning after staying overnight for observation.
"I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him," President Obama said at the luncheon after Kennedy left the room. "And I think that's true for all of us. This is a joyous time, but it's also a sobering time.”
Less than two hours earlier, the Massachusetts Democrat had sat in a black fedora and sky-blue scarf feet away as Obama became the first black man to read the presidential oath taken by Kennedy’s brother John nearly a half-century ago. For months, Kennedy had anticipated the historic occasion as the culmination of decades of his work on civil rights and immigration law.
Kennedy was "just beaming" in the hours before the inaugural ceremony, said Massachusetts Congressman Bill Delahunt. "He looked great. He was in a very happy, jocular mood."
After Obama's swearing-in, as Kennedy's press office released a statement declaring him "full of new hope," he joined other officials streaming off the viewing stand into the Capitol's Statuary Hall for a ritual lunch hosted by congressional leaders in honor of the new president. Kennedy was seated with other Senate veterans, including former vice president Walter Mondale, as he ate from a menu of pheasant and seafood stew prepared in honor of Abraham Lincoln's favorite foods.
Leading the table in conversation, Kennedy was in a "happy mood, regaling us with a few jokes," recalled Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii. "And all of a sudden, he slumped his head like he was going into a seizure….His teeth were clenched."
As the luncheon proceeded, Kennedy was removed in a wheelchair to another room to be treated, then wheeled to the ambulance in a stretcher.
Kennedy has been keeping an active schedule since his diagnosis last May, holding conference calls with his staff and working with other senators and cabinet secretaries on healthcare matters. Despite worries about his condition, he insisted on flying to Denver in August for the Democratic National Convention, and delivered a rousing speech even after a bout with kidney stones the morning of his address.
Kennedy returned this month to the Senate determined to pass a sweeping healthcare plan he has sought for must of his 46-year career in the Senate. While the senator has still been receiving treatments for his brain tumor, he has been holding hearings and assigning other senators roles in the development of a plan he hopes to pass under the new Obama administration.
The white-haired lawmaker has shown a certain frailty in his return, using a cane owned by his father to steady his bad back. His hands and voice reveal a slight shakiness. Unlike in July -- when a bloated and tired-looking Kennedy made a dramatic appearance on the Senate floor to cast the deciding vote on a Medicare funding bill -- Kennedy this month allowed fellow senators to get close to him, accepting the hugs and handshakes doctors last summer had worried would be too much for his compromised immune system.
But today's scare raised questions about whether the stubbornly hard-working lawmaker was exerting himself too much. Some people close to the senator were not happy with the idea of him sitting outside in the bitter January cold to see Obama take the oath of office, but Kennedy was determined to do so.
His color was strong, he was smiling, and he appeared spry as he made his way to the front of the Capitol for Obama's speech.
But the overwhelming emotional heft of the day -- combined with the physical strain on an ill man -- may have put too much of a burden on Kennedy. As he left the luncheon, Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia said that he assumed the "physical and emotional pressure" placed on Kennedy may have played a role in the seizure.
Specialists say that it is not uncommon for patients with brain cancer to suffer seizures intermittently. Even if the patient, as in Kennedy's case, has had surgery to remove the tumor, the surrounding area in the brain remains abnormal. And the senator's tumor was in a brain region particularly prone to seizures. He was briefly hospitalized in late September after another seizure.
Seizures can happen for a number of different reasons -- such as missed medication or dehydration -- and do not necessarily signal that a tumor is getting worse, said Dr. Deepa Subramaniam, director of the Brain Tumor Center at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington.
Dr. Steven Schachter, an epilepsy specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and president of the American Epilepsy Society, said that in some patients, "certain situations may make it more likely that a seizure would occur, and stress – even happy stress, excitement – is one of those." Other contributing factors might include losing sleep and fever, said Schachter, who like Subramaniam is not treating Kennedy.
Even as Kennedy was being carried to an ambulance, close friends were heartened to see that he appeared to have full control of his most basic reflexes. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah took note of an "old Irish smile" breaking from Kennedy's lips, while Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut expressed relief that Kennedy found the energy to "bellow" that "he was resistant to any help."
"When he bellows," Dodd said, "he's usually in pretty good shape."
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My prayers are with Senator Kennedy and his family
My prayers are with you Sen. Kennedy. God Bless
My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Kennedy at this time
Hang in there, Uncle Ted.
Good luck, Senator!
Get better Teddy! We need you out there.
I'm glad he got to see the inauguration, as he promised he would!!
May God bless you Teddy and keep you in his arms!
Woah! So sad. Healing prayers being sent your way Senator Kennedy!
We're praying for you, Teddy, hope you are okay.
Senator Kennedy is in my prayers and he was there for Obama all the way and kept his promise. From, pam
Thoughts & prayers are with you, Uncle Ted.
may the good Lord bless u sen.kennedy
God Bless Sen. Kennedy. I will think of him tonight!
Our hopes and prayers are with Ted. We need "The Lion of the Senate" especially at this time.
God speed for a quick recovery Sen. Kennedy.
GOD BLESS... Feel Better SOON!
My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Kennedy.
Senator Kennedy stands tall in my estimation among those American leaders who worked for justice and peace. I pray for his recovery.
He's not dead yet! All good wishes to him and his family.
God bless him, speedy recovery, Obama needs you!
Hang in there Ted, your a man of steel, God bless you
blunt is the minority whip, not the minority leader What does that mean?
What did they serve at the lunch?
Please Teddy don't go yet...
Hang in there Ted,....not ready for a world without you. We have much to thank you for over the years, today as much as any time, you are a great man and friend.
My Prayers are with the children of Ted Kennedy..
My heart goes out to the Senior Senator
One of the greatest, a true champion for Americans. My thoughts and prayers to the Lion of the Senate and his family. Also to Senator Robert Byrd another great champion of human rights.
Actually, Eric Cantor is the whip for the 111th Congress. Blunt is sitting big leadership roles out this year.
No matter though, best wishes to Mr. Kennedy - his spirit has been truly inspiring throughout this health ordeal.
G-d Bless you, Senator. President Obama (I JUST WROTE THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME -- WOW!!) said it best, "And so, I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him. And I think that's true for all of us. This is a joyous time, but it's also a sobering time. And, my prayers are with him and his family and Vicki."
Amen!
My Prayers are with the children of Ted Kennedy..
You'd better get through this... *your* new president is going to need you - we ALL need you! Thank you for everything you've done for our country; I think of you every time I step onto the sands of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Thanks again, Teddy, and keep swinging.
We are sorry to hear this sad news, Senators Kennedy and Byrd will be in our prayers for a speedy and satisfactory recovery. Congratulations to President Obama (we are South Africans) and very excited for the next 4-8 years!! GO FOR IT!
While I don't agree with his politics, the man is a human being and he needs our prayers.
We're with you all the way Ted!
What strength you have Teddy and with that thought I know that you will prevail and have a quick recovery; my best to you and your family, always - I WILL say a prayer for you!
Best wishes Teddy, you're a fighter and always have been. Hope you are ok.
Hey Waltham Warrior: If you are going to have so little class to kick a man when he is down, at least check your spelling.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ted and his family for a speedy recovery! JF
My prayers to Sen. Kennedy and his family. I do hope he will be just fine and back to work in no time. Somehow I just can't picture a world without him in it. Or a Senate without his presence.
maybe there should be an age limit for our senators in congress...what good is a senator if he/she is too frail to take on the rigors imposed on them by the job?
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I'll keep you in prayer. Take it easy and rest up.
As a fellow human I wish Ted the best, but maybe its time for him to retire already...
Teddy,
My prayers are with you and your family, and hang in there and be strong, you are a fighter and everything will be ok.
GOD BLESS YOU- ALL OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU.
God Bless Teddy. We all know what a huge hand he had in making this amazing day a reality!
Senator Kennedy is such an institution in the US Senate it's difficult to imagine the Senate without him, but this is a sad reminder that we all must begin to think in those terms. He has truly been a voice for the less fortunate, and one can only hope and pray that his fighting spirit will keep him going. The poor, the elderly, the dispossessed have a true champion in him and, God willing, may he have many more years of service!
How many people were at the Inauguration?
Senator Kennedy, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
I can relate to what you're experiencing Ted. I too suffer with seizures. However, due to my nuerologist putting me on a ketogenic diet I rarely have seizures. Only if I eat carbs. Ask your doctors to give the ketogenic diet a try! You're in my prayers.
TED, YOU MADE IT THIS FAR TO SEE PRESIDENT OBAMA'S INAGURATION..YOU REALLY DID IT...LIKE YOU SAID YOU WOULD!! THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU..MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT!
We need you, get well soon.
No Kennedy haters on here yet? Wow!
Best wishes to him! Glad he made it to the inauguration.
God Bless Senator
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please get well. We need you in the senate.
He will surely recover by Almighty Father and the will of the people of America
God bless you and Vicki...get well soon Senator Kennedy
My Prayers for the Kennedy Family, I am holding Senator Kennedy in the Light and So glad he was there this morning to see this historic moment he has worked so hard for across his career.
Senator Kennedy, My prayers are wtih you - I know that the Lord will give you and your family the strength to overcome this obstacle. He did not bring you this far to leave you behind, plus President Obama needs your expertise!! God's Love and Peace to you.
God Bless you, Teddy and best wishes for a speedy recovery! You and your family are in our prayers.
It has been the long, hard road that Senator Kennedy and his family walked all these years in public service that paved the way for our new President Obama. May we never forget the struggle as we all look forward to a new era. God Bless, you Ted Kennedy and keep you and your family in his grace.
Senator Kennedy, My prayers are with you - I know that the Lord will give you and your family the strength to overcome this obstacle. He did not bring you this far to leave you behind, plus President Obama needs your expertise!! God's Love and Peace to you.
Get well, Teddy! We still need you!
I hope someone capable takes his place in the Senate.
Why I voted for Obama?
I am a senior in a private univ.
My grandparents and parents
are lifelong Republicans. They all
voted for John McCain last year.
08 was my first time vote and I voted for Obama.
Here is why:
My generation have first hand knowledge
of minimum wage jobs because over 90% my
generation have summer and/or year round
jobs as early as we can both in high shool and
college . This is not because we
are diligent or have nothing to do but because
our so called "middle class" parents unable to give us allowance on regularly basis. As such we have to work from mid teen years, in supermarket, department stores, restaurants, gas station.etc you name it, everywhere, day and night.
At least 30% US service and retail sectors jobs
were staffed by cheap student labors since 80's. And many of us witness our "Middle class" parents fighting periodically due to money. WE know intimately that under our parents so called middle class image is daily struggle on the never ending worry for mortgage, car loan, credit card payments etc. We know how hard it is to earn enough to fund a weekend gateaway or a music instructment or an used car for ourself even though we don't pay room and board. All the so called middle class I met in Texas, Utah, California and Mass in my life are Fake, they pretend to be middle class due to social and/or peer pressure!!
As such we resonate and support Obama's Message: Spread Wealth.
Because we are Honest, we don't want to pretend rich in front our friends, neighbors etc. Because we don't want to have constant credit DEBTS to fund our basic needs while at the same time claim ourself Middle Class, we are not! We don't want to self deception anymore !! President Obama: we, more than 125 Millions Working Poor Caucasian Adults can't endure the unendurable indefinitely. Please spread thewealth, Thank you!
Best wishes to him!
Teddy was a big part of getting Obama elected. Tough for him to be laid low today of all days. Godspeed on his recovery. Now if we can just change his mind on Cape Wind...
Godspeed. Will Ted see any of these posts?
God bless you Teddy; may His hand be upon your doctors and nurses, and may complete healing come to you! With love from an old campaign worker now living in Virginia! Get well soon, darlin' man--get your Irish up and get back on your feet!
The buddha bless you and get well soon
Somebody must be filtering out the knuckleheads on this, and I'm glad. Like all of us, Ted is not going to get out alive, but I wish for him enough recovery to witness the fruits of his labors over the next year.
I send my prayers to my former Senator for a quick recovery .
Senator Ted, Take care of yourself first now. You have taken care of us for so long.
Get well and then you can resume your plans for national healthcare. We have waited this long. We can wait a little while longer for a stronger you.
God's blessings on Sen. Ted Kennedy and his family.
I hope you feel better. Glad to hear you'll be ok.
Do the right thing and retire Teddy. I watched confirmation hearings last week for the Labor Secretary and it was sad. You looked like an old boxer that stayed around for 10 more fights than he should have.
Although, some other liberal windbag from Mass. will probably take your place.
I hope you stay around long enough to see Davis Bacon repealed.
Concerned tax paying citizen from Massachusetts.
I lost my husband to that very same cancer. Seizures are one of the many burdens it visits on the patient and being tired will often lead to a seizure. The next time someone asks you to donate to one of the celebrity cancers, try to remember there are other cancer researches being neglected by this Hollywood attitude. Support basic research!
My prayers to the family and Vicky, the family 'survives' cancer but are forever damaged.
the only reason Kennedy is not getting slammed here, as he usually does, is because the right wing has enough class to know there's a time and a place for everything, and this is not the time nor the place. i disagree with just about everything he's done in his life, but do not wish him or anyone else ill. maybe the libs can learn something here, but i doubt it.
A daughter of Massachusetts, a resident of Maine, I send you my warm wishes for strength and inspiration to continue your good work as senior Senator from my home state...and as a rock for your extended family.
A daughter of Massachusetts, a resident of Maine, I send you my warm wishes for strength and inspiration to continue your good work as senior Senator from my home state...and as a rock for your extended family.
#73 comments should be removed. How disgusting.
Yep, fatigue can bring on a seizure. Our love and prayers.
As a fellow (ex) brain tumor sufferer and someone who has had 2 seizures post surgery, I can assure all people posting messages that fatigue and stress play an important role in resiliance to seizures. I have been tumor-free for 16 months and am sure that Ted will with a little sleep and check on his medication blood levels be back to his normal wonderful self.
I'm a liberal, it's in my blood. As for gwizz, another ignorant moron who doesn't respect democracy. Gee wouldn't it be great if we were all conservatives.... Regardless of whether you believe in what Ted Kennedy has accomplished, he's dedicated his entire life to our country. The real problem is that so many people don't respect what others believe. A difference of opinion should be respected, not condemned - that is how our country will prosper. Don't you get that?
Good luck, Senator Kennedy.
Good luck, Senator Kennedy.
God Bless Senator Kennedy. It's a horrible illness and how he's doing as well as he is, I don't know.
My dad died of cancer just like Senator Kennedy's two years ago. To the Kennedy family, our prayers are with you. And to Ted, keep fighting...it's not your time just yet.
Our prayers are with you, Ted. God Bless.
God bless Senator Kennedy. Perhaps its time to retire. If Caroline doesn't get Hillary's senate seat, perhaps she can pick up yours.
God Bless the Senator. Get well soon.
We're all on your side, Teddy. You are surrounded by people who respect and love you, the ones you see just feet away, and all of the rest of us, all around the world.
I come from a large, extended family of Democrats, and I am a life-long Massachusetts resident. I have also suffered from seizures. Sen. Kennedy, my thoughts are with you during your recovery.
As much as I believe Ted has not done anything to ever help this state, he is still a human being.
To #101: John McCain was a fighter pilot and was captured by the North Vietnamese and sent to a prison. When released, he became a Senator and has been ever since. He was unfortunately destroyed by Katie Couric and friends because Obama can put on a good show. No one respected what McCain had to say because Obama, as previously stated, is the man. I guess it's only OK to put party differences aside when it will help the liberals? The only Change I can is the two quarters in my pocket.
God bless you Sen. Kennedy. You are still needed by so many here. Our prayers are with you.
I really hope ted hangs in there. If there were anytime Our country needed strong leadership for incoming senators, it's now and Ted is the man for that job. We are blessed in Massachusetts to have two very hard working senators on our side. God Speed Uncle Ted.
Ted God bless and keep you in his loveing arms,and God keep our new president and his beautiful family safe from harm,WE LOVE The OBAMAS.
Olivia from Pa
This is the most outrageously scrubbed (of negative posts about St. Teddy) of any I have ever seen. Makes MSNBC look non-partisan! I won't try to comment as a result. That's your liberals for you, all for free speech, as censored by them. All for due process of law, except when it's one of their own.
To Senator Kennedy, I wish a speedy recovery. To President Obama, I wish light, life, and happiness as you undertake such a daunting task that is ahead. To all Americans, I wish, joy, happiness, prosperity, and comfort and peace that a well earned paycheck can bring. God bless us as we move forward.
senator kennedy, i was upset when i heard you had gotton sick. you are so very important to us all. you have done so much for our country and i only wish the best for you and all the kennedy"s. i only wish you the best and i will keep you in my prayers for a recovery . god bless you and keep you safe we need you so you can give your advice to our new president. i love you and god keep you safe always. ..........................................jayne alvarez from ohio.
Senator Kennedy,
I am a 24+ yr survivor of a brain stem glioma. Though they diagnosed it as slow-growing and benign, I still share your concerns, pains, stress, hopes, and determination.
My thoughts and prayers and hugs are with you!
Peace and smiles,
Rebecca